Posted on Feb 13, 2017
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I've been attached to an HQ and I have found that there is a lot of rank here. I went into a room as ordered to pass out cards with information on them to anyone and everyone. I quickly noticed the room was full of E8 - E9 and O5 - O7, and somewhere there was a two star.

Any tips on working with this much rank around you at all times?
Posted in these groups: Headquarters StaffOfficers logo OfficersImages 20 NCOs
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Responses: 23
MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P
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Just remember a few key rules:
1. Complacency kills!
2. Remember your Customs and Courtesies.
3. Senior ranks were once young and impressionable too.
4. Complacency KILLS! (yeah, it's that important!)
5. Watch, listen, learn.

Another tidbit to keep in the back of your cranial unit.... These folks put their trousers on the same way you do. Tie 'em up between two chairs and jump right in! (what? doesn't everyone do it this way?) Don't get complacent but don't let the concentrated awesomeness bowl you over either. Deep down, they are people to (well, most of 'em anyway). In time, you will develop your routine and learn how to handle the situation with confidence.
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MSgt Ben Heath
MSgt Ben Heath
8 y
This is honestly the best advice I could give.
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SCPO Combat Systems Electronics Leading Petty Officer
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Just remember the respect and courtesies you learned in boot camp. In time the awe factor of all that rank will wear off a little and you will become more comfortable in those settings; just don't become complacent.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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Edited 8 y ago
I spent a lot of time in Headquarters in my 40 years of working as an Air Force officer, government contractor, and Army Civilian. Here's some advice.
-Pay close attention to every detail of your personal appearance and uniform. You may be the first impression a visitor gets of the entire Headquarters.
-Many Senior Officers and NCOs at Headquarters aren't used to seeing junior enlisted. They will either ignore you or they will want to talk to you because you represent a unique experience in their daily grind. Either way, be absolutely courteous and discretely honest.
-Learn tact. You may be asked to herd senior officers, NCOs, or their guests. In this case, you will be working in the name of the most senior officer involved in the event. Start with "Sir, it's time for everybody to take their seats." If that doesn't work, you'll need to go to, "Sir, General Smith will be here is a couple of minutes, can I show you to your seat?" You get the idea. Courteous but firm. If the Honorable Congresswoman from Texas has broccoli in her teeth after lunch, don't tell her. Find her military aide or assistant and tell him or her.
-Give directions when asked, but not advice. If the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Something wants to know how to get to Burger King, tell them (if you know). If they ask you about a good place for lunch, defer to a more senior officer or NCO.
-Listen and learn. This assignment allows you exposure to very senior people. Listen to how they converse. Try to discover how they make decisions. Learn how they make and maintain networks. See whom they appear to trust and whom they may not give much credit. Don't comment on any of this, but file it away for dealing with senior people in the future.
-Never gossip.
-Know what your security clearance (or lack thereof) means. Get out of the room as quietly as possible if you think you might be exposed to classified information you aren't cleared to see.
-Lear how to talk to Government Contractors. This is almost as important as dealing with classified. Learn what you can and cannot say to Government Contractors. If in doubt, be courteous, but say nothing of substance. The Army and Defense Acquisition have some good on-line courses on this subject.
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